Sunday, January 03, 2010

Mauna Kea observatories lawsuit dismissed

The plans for further development of astronomy (including the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope) on Mauna Kea has gotten a boost as the 3rd Circuit Court dismissed a lawsuit filed against a tentative approval for new development. To follow the story, please read an earlier post explaining the conflict over telescopes on Mauna Kea. This lawsuit dismissal is important, as it was the 3rd Circuit Court (with the same judge) that previously ordered the halt to any new development until there is a Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) for Mauna Kea. This dismissal, it seems, is a tacit approval of the CMP developed by the University of Hawaii.

No comments:

What is Irtiqa?

Irtiqa is a Science and Religion blog. It tracks and comments on news relevant to the interplay of science & religion - with a focus on scientific debates taking place in the Muslim world. Irtiqa literally means evolution in Urdu. But it does not imply only biological evolution. Instead, it is an all encompassing word used for evolution of the universe, biological evolution, and also for biological/human development. While it has created confusion in debates over biological evolution in South Asia, it provides a nice integrative name for a blog that addresses issues of science & religion. For further information, contact Salman Hameed.

The blog banner is designed by Muhammad Aurangzeb Ahmad. You can find all his creative endeavors at Orangie.

On Muslims and Evolution

Salman Hameed

Salman is an astronomer and Associate Professor of Integrated Science & Humanities at Hampshire College, Massachusetts. Currently, he is working on understanding the rise of creationism in contemporary Islamic world and how Muslims view the relationship between science & religion. He is also working with historian Tracy Leavelle at Creighton University to analyze reconciliation efforts between astronomers and Native Hawaiians over telescopes on top of sacred Mauna Kea in Hawaii. He teaches “History and Philosophy of Science & Religion” with philosopher Laura Sizer, and “Science in the Islamic World”, both at Hampshire College. Salman and Laura Sizer are also responsible for the ongoing Hampshire College Lecture Series on Science & Religion, and you can find videos of all these lectures below. Contact information here.